Statue: Thua My Song - Hau Chua Song

The one who has the full authority to decide all matters of the country (That is, the highest-ranking mandarin sits together to discuss important national and military matters).

The statue's demeanor is clearly shown on the plump, benevolent, and elegant "King" face. The forehead, temples, eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth are in proportion. All exude a family tradition, a noble demeanor, an intelligent and talented nature, a benevolent and virtuous heart, and a determined will.

Statue: Leisurely, self-possessed, full chest, firm, strong. Left hand holds the sword hilt, right hand clasps together and places on the hilt of the sword, using force to press the tip of the sword down on the back of the "Water Monster", right leg is bent up, the whole foot presses down on the back of the beast, the back of the beast quickly falls down as if about to break, the two hind legs kick weakly, while the head tries to rise up, mouth opens as if calling for help, the whole body trembles, struggles, submits, implying the desire to defeat the mysterious supernatural force that at that time had no power to control. Hoping for the agricultural economy to develop, with enough conditions to nurture the people's strength, consolidate and build the newly won young autonomous government, demonstrating "deep humanity", or in short: Forbearance - Simplicity - Peace - Happiness.

The statue is tightly structured, from the neck to the shoulders, to the pleats of the shirt, everything is in the right proportions and position. The folds of the front of the shirt are gathered in the middle, the sleeves are open to cover both sides, partly covering the arms of the throne, the pants fall down and spread out to cover the shoe collar, only revealing part of the shoe tip, the straight pleats of the pants open and spread out. The statue seems to have the power to move, creating a leisurely, serene, and self-possessed posture. If you look at it from the side, you will see the statue leaning slightly backwards, leaning against the sturdy throne.

A statue with depth in demeanor, both literary and martial, majestic appearance, both literary and martial, but above all is literary quality: "Talented and intelligent"

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- the ruler of the world".

2. Statue: Khuc Hao - Lord Khuc Trung

The statue is shorter, the brim of the hat has a bird spreading its wings and flying. That is the symbol of the sun shining, bringing life force to the world with the wish to bring peace, prosperity and happiness to the people.

The right hand holding the “Scroll” placed on the knee seems to express the anxiety and contemplation. This detail has more of a literary quality. Historical facts show that: Khuc

Hao inherited his father's career. He realized that only by creating a solid socio-economic foundation could he maintain long-term Independence and Autonomy. Therefore, in foreign affairs, he still submitted to the Liang Dynasty but maintained friendly relations with the Southern Han Dynasty to have free hands to consolidate the fledgling autonomy. In domestic affairs, he divided the country into Lo - Phu - Chau - Giap - Xa to hold power. He took care of security, reformed the rules, expanded agriculture, revised taxes, abolished corvee labor... the main thing in politics was to favor leniency and tolerance.

– Simple. History has evaluated him as a person who “surpassed everyone’s thoughts”, “fought against the Northern Dynasties”, “was a benevolent king”. His tolerant demeanor, magnanimous face, and traditional virtues, that is the kindness and altruism of the founder of a career, opening up a legitimate foundation.

3. Statue: Khuc Thua My - Khuc Hau Chua

As the inheritor of the confirmed results of his ancestors. The statue sits in a balanced posture. Both hands are placed lightly on both knees, the hands are closed, the fingers press on the "Doi" palace - between "Chi Than" and "Chi Dau". The Doi palace is the West of the Metal element according to the common concept of the Five Elements, Metal generates Water... Khuc Thua My "seals the seal" as if to pray for "Favourable weather", agricultural development, peaceful country, and stable border. The two altars are carved with "scattered clouds". The cloak flies out and crosses over the throne, almost covering the pedestal, pushing the statue forward, in a leisurely, noble, and serene posture.

The authors tried to express the spirit of the three statues with all their respect for the ancestors of the Khuc family, who had the great merit of opening the foundation of Independence - Autonomy, ending the thousand-year domination of the Northern feudalists, establishing real diplomatic relations and having important administrative reforms.

In short, these can be seen as standard statues that contribute to the national artistic identity, a spirit of the renovation period, continuing the eternal flow of history.

2.3.2. Location of the Temple

In 1999, after entering the Temple to burn incense and going to the lotus pond area, a local slipped and fell into the pond, stepping on something hard. He picked it up and brought it to the

I asked the elders in the village and learned that it was the tip of a roof tile, about 10 cm in diameter, with a small border, and inside was the embossed word "Khuc Vuong".

Soon after, local people continued to find broken pieces of pottery with the words Khuc Mieu, Khuc Dien, Khuc Luan and pieces of jars, vases, bowls, etc., along with wooden trees under the lotus pond.

Excavating the lotus pond area in front of the Temple with an area of 100m2 . Search results

found a destroyed house consisting of 26 wooden trees with a diameter of 20 - 22cm. Wooden pillars were carved "Vum" into stripes. Around there were many trees that had been cut down, along with many pieces of pottery, vases, jars, pots, tiles, and bricks that had been destroyed. Among them, the 3-legged "Tuoc" was intact. Hai Duong Museum concluded: This site is related to the Khuc family in the 10th century, the "Cui" behind the village with 42 wooden trees, covering the grave is a pile about a pole large, to the foundation of the area around the Temple. After historical evidence, through many conferences at all levels, the conclusion was reached: "Cuc Bo homeland - The starting place of the Khuc family in the 10th century".

To commemorate the merits of the first person to regain independence and autonomy for the country, the people in the area built a temple at the location where the Khuc family's remains were found along with the old Cuc Bo communal house. And named the temple Khuc Thua Du Temple (also known as Cuc Bo Temple). Because the temple was built in Cuc Bo village and attached to the old Cuc Bo communal house, the locals often call it Cuc Bo Temple.

2.3.3. Festivals

Currently, the temple is only in phase 3, the final phase is still to be completed, which is the regulation of organizing festivals at the temple. Every year, the villagers take the death anniversary of Mr. Khuc Thua Du (July 23, 907) as the anniversary. The Khuc clans come to pay tribute to their ancestors. Local people prepare trays of offerings including sticky rice, meat, cakes, bananas, banh khuc, etc. to offer to burn incense at the temple. Organize a competition to make offerings among branches and villages. If any branch or village wins first prize, it will receive a commemorative medal and the following year will be able to host the competition (about 130 trays).

Although there has not been an official and large-scale festival. But every year on the death anniversary of Mr. Khuc Thua Du, many visitors from all over the country come to burn incense to commemorate the merits of those who have contributed to the country. That shows the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" of the nation. In order to educate the younger generation about patriotism and national pride, remembering the merits of the deceased. Being aware of that, the next generations need to continue to strive to study and build the homeland of Cuc Bo to develop more and more while still preserving the traditional culture of the homeland. At the same time, preserve and promote the historical and cultural values of the temple of Khuc Thua Du. Bring the image of the homeland of Cuc Bo to international friends, knowing that Cuc Bo is a homeland rich in cultural traditions, along with the friendliness and enthusiasm of the local people here.

2.3.4. Cuc Bo Temple relic in the hearts of visitors

On June 30, 2003, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan - Member of the Party Central Committee - Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee and the Standing Committee visited the relic site. She recorded in the "Golden Book of Traditions", "The first time I visited Cuc Bo village, burned incense at the village temple and commemorated the hero Khuc Thua Du, I was very moved and happy with the people's affection and respect for the cultural relic".

The note is short but contains a profound meaning "Light incense at the village temple" this is the place to worship the ancestors of the Khuc family and the place where the people of Cuc Bo have spent many generations protecting and preserving to have today. Holding the incense stick respectfully, offering it up while remembering Khuc Thua Du with "emotional" feelings, that shows the "heart" of the leader. Today, enjoying the sweet and fragrant fruit, remembering the person who planted the tree for Life to pick the fruit "Remembering Khuc Thua Du is remembering a heroic historical period in the 10th century. Our country's history began to enter a long period of sorrow after the defeat of An Duong Vuong against Trieu Da." "History calls it the period of Northern domination". Successive generations have constantly risen up to fight to the death with the enemy. Many heroes have established miracles that glorify the indomitable tradition of their ancestors. The Trung sisters

raised her sword to start an uprising. Lady Trieu boldly declared: “I want to be a strong wave to trample on the fierce wave to kill the whale in the East Sea, to free the people from slavery, not to be someone else’s concubine”. Next was the uprising of Mai Thuc Loan, Phung Hung, Duong Thanh… taking turns in battle, worthy of being excellent representatives of heroic spirit. However, all those victories were not enough to permanently overthrow the domination of the feudalists in the North. From 823 to 907, the Tang Dynasty, the ruler of China and our country at that time, entered a period of decline. History required a person with prestige and ability to open a smart way for the descendants of the Dragon and Fairy to enter a new era. And the one who met that requirement was Khuc Thua Du and his descendants. “Remembering Khuc Thua Du” is remembering the homeland – the place of birth and career – where she and the Standing Committee are visiting. In 1000 years of history, she is walking on the old path. A peaceful countryside hidden in the endless green of the peaceful countryside, with banyan trees, boats, rivers, and rows of bamboos covering the ancient communal house roofs and hamlets. She must have thought of the people far away who knew how to exchange a day of gold for several sacrifices. And she wished to "Continue to care for and preserve the relics to always be a destination for tourists from all over the province and beyond." Her way of speaking was gentle, expressing her desire to repay the ancients and as a result, in January 2004, Hai Duong province approved the project to rebuild the relic site.

On June 18, 2003, during the trip "Surveying history in Cuc Bo and surrounding areas", Associate Professor - Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuong - Vietnam Institute of History wrote: "National heroes Khuc Thua Du, Khuc Hao, Khuc Thua My are people who have made great contributions to the history of the nation". Over 4000 years of building and defending the country, there were more than 1000 years of Chinese domination. But the beautiful and peaceful Vietnam has overcome the heavy challenges of the past and moved forward to conquer the singing tomorrow. "Khuc Thua Du has made great contributions". Because he knew how to take advantage of the golden opportunity to carry out an uprising to seize power without blood and bones. After that, his descendants persistently built discipline with the ideology of "Khoan - Gian - An - Lac". "Very great contributions" must be the person who laid the foundation for building national autonomy, the person who made great contributions to administrative reform. All aimed at building

build an Independent - Self-reliant - Sustainable state. The professor also wished: "We must build a large-scale project to honor him and his successors". What the professor wishes is also what the people always wish for, very consistent with the Party's policy of "Ensuring historical fairness".

On August 6, 2003, the cultural archaeology team led by Professor Tran Quoc Vuong visited and wrote: "The archaeology team was extremely moved to visit Cuc Bo, the homeland of the Khuc family, who built autonomy for the people of our country in the 10th century. Through examining the artifacts of our village, at the latest, it was from the beginning of the Christian era, twenty centuries ago. There are artifacts that are from the 10th century, the era of the Khuc family. "We should promote archaeological work". The professor witnessed the artifacts found in the ground buried about 4 meters deep under the lotus pond in front of the Temple. Those were pieces of ceramic at the top of a round tile with a diameter of 12cm with embossed letter patterns: Khuc Vuong, Khuc Dien, Khuc Mieu... and pieces of jars, moreover, there was a house surrounded by rows of trees like coconut trees and other trees in upright positions, some were cut down and lying around. The professor wanted "We should promote archaeological work". Because there may be many valuable artifacts hidden underground that we have not found yet.

And here is the note of Colonel Khuc Ngoc Thuong - a descendant of the Khuc family from Hai Phong. He took up his gun and set out, carrying the tradition of his ancestors, when his hair was still green... his bare feet and head had stretched out across the country for three full resistance wars. After the day of total victory, the mountains and rivers were reunited. He gave his hat and lowered the star and returned to his homeland, his hair had turned white, his forehead was deeply wrinkled by the hardships of wind and frost. Hearing that Cuc Bo was the homeland where the ancestors of the Khuc family had built their career, he led his extended family including grandparents, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on a pilgrimage back to his hometown to burn incense and commemorate the ancestors. Moved, he wrote: "Thank you to the people of Cuc Bo and the Liaison Committee for awakening the Khuc family to remember their roots, which for many generations and many years they have not returned to their homeland."

And here is the note of Professor - Doctor Khuc Xuyen - Vice President and General Secretary of Vietnam Occupational Medicine Association - Leader of the delegation of Ngoc Tri - Gia Lam - Hanoi: "As a descendant of the Fairy Princess - Khuc Ngoc Tri family

I would like to thank the local leaders and people for preserving and embellishing the memorial and worshipping place for the Ancestors. He and his family must be very happy because he witnessed this place. Although there is no one from Cuc Bo anymore, the temple of the ancestors of the Khuc family from ancient times has been "preserved, embellished and worshipped" by successive generations. Just six words, but they contain deep feelings and affection. And the people of Cuc Bo preserve that place of worship not only with effort, sweat, sometimes with tears and blood: "A thousand gold to keep today's jade. To please those at the end of the sky" (folk song).

On February 28, 2007, Mr. Bui Thanh Quyen - Member of the Party Central Committee - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - Chairman of the People's Council of Hai Duong province wrote: "Khuc Thua Du is the one who made the first contribution... laid the first brick to build the foundation of Independence... Kien Quoc is the land to build a career. Although only a few lines, he has fully stated the homeland and luggage. The place where the Khuc family built their career. As the highest leader of Hai Duong province, he has the Party's perspective of "Ensuring historical fairness", "Social justice". He reminded everyone to "preserve" and "promote" to be worthy of the Khuc family.

On September 19, 2009, Mr. Nguyen Van Chien - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Party - Head of the Office of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - Former Secretary of the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee wrote: Temple of "The national hero - the son of Ninh Giang who brought glory to the country - forever remembered for generations to come".

On November 13, 2009, former President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Duc Luong wrote: “The leaders of the Vietnamese people in the 10th century, Khuc Thua Du - Khuc Hao - Khuc Thua My, had great merit in leading the entire nation to rise up to gain autonomy and build an independent country... From here, the Vietnamese people continuously built the foundation of national independence, reaching its peak in the Dai Viet era.

On November 14, 2009, Politburo member - National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong wrote: "I very much welcome the construction of Khuc Thua Du Temple - a project of historical and cultural significance right in his hometown. To honor

The historical figure's contributions laid the foundation for the country's independence and autonomy in the early 10th century.

There are only a few lines but they have a profound meaning, expressing the morality of “When drinking water, remember its source”, a fine tradition of the Vietnamese people. The President also hopes: This is the place to “educate patriotism and pride for the young generation - introduce the heroic history of the nation to international friends”.

On February 8, 2009, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Bich - Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Youth Union wrote: "We respectfully bow to the merits and thoughts of the first kings of the country". That is the merit of opening up independence and autonomy - ending the yoke of foreign domination. Establishing true diplomatic relations - building a State with the ideology of Tolerance - Simplicity - Settling down - Working and the youth of Hai Duong promise to "Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, bring wisdom and enthusiasm to serve the increasingly rich and civilized country".

Lieutenant General Dang Van Hieu - Deputy Minister of Public Security. After visiting and worshiping the temple, he was moved and acknowledged the beautiful, majestic, quiet, and heroic landscape of this place and he hoped that: "This will be a place to educate the heroic tradition of our ancestors in protecting and building the country. (September 12, 2009).

Ms. Ta Thi Minh Ly - Director of the Legal Aid Department expressed: "Gratitude to the Kings, boundless admiration for the sacred Deity. May the Kings manifest their spirit to help the people of Vietnam keep the country peaceful, forever live in Independence - Freedom - Peace - Happiness". This is the beauty of Vietnamese tradition.

"Wherever there is pain for the race, look to the homeland to nurture a strong will."

Descendants of the Khuc family had to leave their homeland and ancestral land to reside in the Kingdom of Belgium, and returned many times to “honor” their ancestors. This time it was written: “Everything has changed compared to the previous time, the church is beautiful and magnificent, it is a symbol of glory and pride to stand in the Khuc family”. Khuc Gilles Luong (translated by Nguyen Tien Bich).

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